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Into History.

com. It's June 9, 1942.

It's June 9, 1942, on board a US Air Force B26 bomber flying 12,000 feet above the Pacific Ocean.

With only minutes to go before the plane begins its bombing run,

Sergeant Lillis Walker checks his machine gun as loaded and ready to fire.

The B26 is over hostile territory,

and Walker knows that enemy fighters could strike at any moment.

Ever since Japan attacked Pearl Harbor six months ago, the United States and Japan have battled

for control of the Pacific Ocean.

Today, as part of the American offensive,

Sergeant Walker's squadron has been ordered to destroy an airfield on the island of New Guinea.

The mission is daunting.

Not only do they expect a fierce Japanese counter-offensive, but they also have a special

guest to worry about.

On board Sergeant Walker's flight today is 33-year-old Navy officer and politician

Linden B Johnson, who's here to observe the war effort on

behalf of President Franklin D Roosevelt. As Sergeant Walker scans the sky for

enemy fighters, the rhythmic drone of the B26 changes.

One of the bomber's two engines sputters and its propeller stops turning.

...